Style Vs Substance

[MrDanger]

That has been one of the things that i have felt very strongly about in my youth ministry.

I tell the kids to challenge everything I teach them. Read the Bible, pray, seek God to see if they believe it or not. Don't just believe it because I said it.

I am teaching them this so they develop the relationship with God, not just my relationship with God. The other reason is to hold me accountable. One of my favorite authors earned that status with me because he started out one of his books stating, "Don't believe one word I tell you. Research it. See for yourself."

People that are afraid of that scrutiny, in my opinion, have something to hide or just want mindless sheep.

[Gerald Creasy]

Good points and comments Pastor Bill and Mister Danger.

Somehow, however, I get the feeling that....if we could get him for the assembly COGOP HQ would snatch TDJ up in a heartbeat.

A heartbeat!!

[DeWayneTN]

Call me when they do. All this speculation and conjecture is pretty pointless.

[Gerald Creasy]

Call me when they do. All this speculation and conjecture is pretty pointless.

You plan on being out of the loop?

I do not know what speculation and congecture you refer to.

The statement I made was hyperbole, along the lines of "This weighs a ton!" when someone lifts something heavy. Does it literally weigh a ton?
NO

Will Cleveland ever invite TDJ to the Assembly? NO

The statement was hyperbolic: an over exageration used to express the undue and amazing influence TDJ has among some Pentecostals and COGOP people in general (as I said in the case of my local where he is held as an example and his books are studied for spiritual guidance).

[Pastor Bill]

It's the Celebrity effect. Some accept because it's a popular name, so they must be right, some accept because they don't want to offend so many that do like him (or others like him), and others don't know enough about him to see the errors, and accept without digging any further.

Not an excuse, but look at American society and you don't see much difference.

It's a lack of depth spiritually, intellectually, and in responsibility.

[Gerald Creasy]

Not an excuse, but look at American society and you don't see much difference.

It's a lack of depth spiritually, intellectually, and in responsibility.

You know you open a new can of worms: Our "culture war" in this pluralistc post-modern society.

[Pastor Bill]

I know, but that "can" is part of the problem too.

[Pastor Gary]

Gerald, we live on different planets.

I can honestly say I never hear the name T.D. Jakes mentioned here at all... not among any of the COGOP people, or among any of the other Pentecostal/Charismatic people with whom I regularly associate, or among the Baptists, Presbyterians and others I know.

It/he is a non-issue here.

Now, Benny Hinn is a different matter. Just last week I hung up on three automated calls from Hinn-world, shredded a fax and a letter from his people urging me to charter a bus to bring all our people early to his upcoming crusade. Yeah. Right. THAT's gonna happen.

[RamboPreacher]

...Now, Benny Hinn is a different matter. Just last week I hung up on three automated calls from Hinn-world, shredded a fax and a letter from his people urging me to charter a bus to bring all our people early to his upcoming tirade. Yeah. Right. THAT's gonna happen.

okay, I admit it, when I read your post, above is what I saw first, then reread it.

[Gerald Creasy]

Gerald, we live on different planets.

I can honestly say I never hear the name T.D. Jakes mentioned here at all... not among any of the COGOP people, or among any of the other Pentecostal/Charismatic people with whom I regularly associate, or among the Baptists, Presbyterians and others I know.

It/he is a non-issue here.

Now, Benny Hinn is a different matter. Just last week I hung up on three automated calls from Hinn-world, shredded a fax and a letter from his people urging me to charter a bus to bring all our people early to his upcoming crusade. Yeah. Right. THAT's gonna happen.

Well, YES that happens (the bus thing) too at my local when Hinn comes through town.

While YOU are fortunate to live on an island of Pentecostalism, You have to realize that if the man is voted #1 Most Influential Christian (2006) and #4 (2007) then he is hardly a non-issue.

[Pastor Gary]

Well, YES that happens (the bus thing) too at my local when Hinn comes through town.

I'd volunteer to drive the bus and take them to the homeless shelter instead.

While YOU are fortunate to live on an island of Pentecostalism, You have to realize that if the man is voted #1 Most Influential Christian (2006) and #4 (2007) then he is hardly a non-issue.

By whom? Did you vote? They didn't send me a ballot. (Somebody please let me and Gerald know the date of the next election for "Most Influential Christian" -- we have a few write-in candidates in mind.)

I know tens of thousands of people watch TBN, too, but their visibility is far greater than their real influence.

[Gerald Creasy]

By whom? Did you vote? They didn't send me a ballot. (Somebody please let me and Gerald know the date of the next election for "Most Influential Christian" -- we have a few write-in candidates in mind.)

I know tens of thousands of people watch TBN, too, but their visibility is far greater than their real influence.

http://www.thecronline.com/mag.php

Church report Magazine:

The list is the result of over 200,000 nominations from readers of the magazine and our online readers.

The results are picked up and reported by the mainstream media; which in turn turns more and more people on to these "leaders".

[Pastor Gary]

http://www.thecronline.com/mag.php

Church report Magazine:

The list is the result of over 200,000 nominations from readers of the magazine and our online readers.

The results are picked up and reported by the mainstream media; which in turn turns more and more people on to these "leaders".

I read prolifically and subscribe to numerous periodicals, and have never heard of this publication. Have you, prior to this?

[DeWayneTN]

I read prolifically and subscribe to numerous periodicals, and have never heard of this publication. Have you, prior to this?

I have not. Looks like a personal blog.

[Gerald Creasy]

I read prolifically and subscribe to numerous periodicals, and have never heard of this publication. Have you, prior to this?

LOOK it's obvious you are trying to undercut my concern. I am NOT an idiot.

THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA picked it up. The story runs for a week to the entire US.

If that has no influence on the minds of viewing Christians, then you should feel comfortable if a FALSE TALE is reported on FOX news regarding your local.